In this chapter, Saul demonstrates his favor with God and proves to the people of Israel he is worthy to be king. The chapter begins, “About a month later, King Nashash of Ammon led his army against the Israelite city of Jabesh-gilead. But the citizens of Jabesh asked for peace. “Make a treaty with us, and we will be your servants,” they pleaded.” (1 Samuel 11:1)
Question: How did the most powerful people and army in the land (the Israelites) become so weak...to the point that they have to ask their enemies for treaties and become slaves to them? This represents how God has abandoned them because the Israelites started worshiping other gods and abandoned their true god, God Almighty.
The text continues, “All right,” Nahash said, “but only on one condition. I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you as a disgrace to all Israel!” Give us seven days to send messengers throughout Israel!” replied the leaders of Jabesh. “If none of our relatives will come to save us, we will agree to your terms.” (1 Samuel 11:2-3)
That’s crazy! You are so weak and so out of favor with God that you have to consider those terms???
When Saul heard the message from Jabesh, “the Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul, and he became very angry. He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: “This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!” And the Lord made the people afraid of Saul’s anger, and all of them came out together as one.” (1 Samuel 11:6-7)
Saul then mobilized over 300,000 Israelite men and sent messengers back to Jabesh-gilead to say, “We will rescue you by noontime tomorrow!” (verse 9)
When the message arrived, the people of Jabesh were overjoyed! Saul came the next morning, as he promised, and slaughtered the Ammonites. “Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, “Now where are those men who said Saul shouldn’t rule over us? Bring them here, and we will kill them!” But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today, for today the Lord has rescued Israel!”
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us all go to Gilgal to reaffirm Saul’s kingship.” So they went to Gilgal, and in a solemn ceremony before the Lord they crowned him king. Then they offered peace offerings to the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites were very happy.” (1 Samuel 11:12-15)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for helping us recognize the consequences of our abandonment of you. Because we have chosen to follow other gods, we have been forced to follow the terms of our enemies. Help us understand that if we pour back into you, worshiping you and you alone, you will pour into us and protect us. “If God is for us, who can be against us!” (Romans 8:31) We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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